Marble cake(Neopolitan single-layer cake)

Easy marble cake you can bake any time. With vanilla, chocolate and a pink-tinged batter swirled together, this single-layer 9-inch cake, can be your centrepiece attraction.

📝 Ingredients

• 250 g of butter softened
• 275g(1 and 1/4 cups) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla
• 3 eggs
• 335g(2 and 1/4 cups) flour
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
• 180ml(3/4 cup)milk
• 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons of extra milk
• Pink food colouring
• For the butter icing
• 90 g of softened butter
• 160g(1 cup)of icing sugar
• 1 tablespoon of milk
• 2-3 drops of pink colouring

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Have all the ingredients, utensils and appliances ready.
2. 2Allow the refrigerated ingredients to reach room temperature.
3. 3Lightly butter and line the bottom of a...: Lightly butter and line the bottom of a 9″ round cake pan and set aside.
4. 4Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and...: Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a large bowl. set aside.
5. 5Add butter to a large bowl, and use...: Add butter to a large bowl, and use your mixer to beat the butter for a few seconds on high speed until smooth.
6. 6Add the granulated sugar and vanilla extract to...: Add the granulated sugar and vanilla extract to the softened butter.
7. 7Beat on medium speed until you have a...: Beat on medium speed until you have a light and fluffy cream.
8. 8At all stages of making the cake batter,...: At all stages of making the cake batter, make sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
9. 9Add one egg at a time, combining it...: Add one egg at a time, combining it into the cream; try not to over-mix or beat the eggs into the cream.
10. 10Alternatively, add flour and milk to the batter,...: Alternatively, add flour and milk to the batter, gently incorporating the flour into the mixture(Start with flour and end with flour).
11. 11When combining flour and milk using a hand...: When combining flour and milk using a hand mixer, maintain the lowest speed.
12. 12If using a spatula or whisk, use one...: If using a spatula or whisk, use one direction and a folding movement, as well as keeping the mixing to a minimum.
13. 13Have three bowls ready with three separate spoons.
14. 14In a small bowl, warm the 2 tablespoons...: In a small bowl, warm the 2 tablespoons of milk for 15 seconds and then mix the cocoa powder into it. set aside.
15. 15Separate the batter into the three bowls.
16. 16You will need to separate the batter in...: You will need to separate the batter in a way that will give you 2 equal portions of plain batter in bowls and one with less batter.
17. 17Leave one bowl of batter as it is,...: Leave one bowl of batter as it is, in the second bowl of batter, mix in a few drops of pink colouring till you have a bright pink batter.
18. 18To the third bowl with less batter, add...: To the third bowl with less batter, add the cocoa mixture, and mix well until the batter changes to a light chocolate colour.
19. 19Preheat oven to 160C
20. 20Add spoonfuls of each coloured batter alternatively. If...: Add spoonfuls of each coloured batter alternatively. If you have to add batter on top of the first layer, make sure it contrasts with the bottom.
21. 21Then use a knife or skewer to swirl...: Then use a knife or skewer to swirl the batter.
22. 22Transfer the pan to the oven, and bake...: Transfer the pan to the oven, and bake for 50 minutes.
23. 23Depending on your oven, this could be a...: Depending on your oven, this could be a few more minutes or less.
24. 24At the 40-minute mark, insert a skewer or...: At the 40-minute mark, insert a skewer or toothpick in the centre of the cake.
25. 25If it comes out clean, you can remove...: If it comes out clean, you can remove the cake from the oven; should there be wet batter, continue to bake until the allocated bake time.
26. 26Once the marble cake is done, remove the...: Once the marble cake is done, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for about 15-30 minutes before inverting the cake onto a cooling rack.
27. 27Once the cake is completely cool, transfer it...: Once the cake is completely cool, transfer it to a plate or cake stand to frost.
28. 28Transfer the butter to a bowl and beat...: Transfer the butter to a bowl and beat until you notice the butter turning light.
29. 29Sift icing sugar and combine with the butter.
30. 30Add milk and beat with the mixer until...: Add milk and beat with the mixer until you have a smooth frosting.
31. 31Add 2-3 really small drops of pink colouring...: Add 2-3 really small drops of pink colouring onto the frosting, and use a spoon to gently swirl the colouring with the frosting.
32. 32Do not mix until the whole frosting turns...: Do not mix until the whole frosting turns pink; rather, leave streaks of pink so they are visible.
33. 33Add the frosting to the centre of the...: Add the frosting to the centre of the cake and then spread it evenly over the top. Chill the cake for 10 minutes before serving.